Mutua Madrid Open champion, Ons Jabeur began her Rome Open campaign on a successful note on Tuesday. The world no. 7 ousted Sorana Cirstea, 6-0, 7-6(1) in an hour and 15 minutes in their first-round encounter.
The ninth-seeded Tunisian looked to be in control of the match but Cirstea looked to be poised to make a comeback in the second set as she came from 2-5 down in the set. However, Jabeur steadied her momentary lapse and didn’t let go of the momentum in the tie-break to make it to the round-of-32 in the Italian capital for the first time in her career.
Next up for Jabeur’s Ajla Tomljanovic who won against Camila Giorgi after the latter retired while down, 6-3, 4-2 in their first-round match on Monday.
Meanwhile, Madrid Open finalist, Jessica Pegula also made it through to the second round. The American came from a set down to beat Liudmila Samsonova, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 16 minutes. Pegula will play Anhelina Kalinina for a place in the third round. The Ukrainian defeated Madison Keys, 6-4, 6-4 in their round-of-64 match on Monday.
Rome Open: Emma Raducanu’s injury derails her match against Bianca Andreescu
The much-awaited match between Emma Raducanu and Bianca Andreescu, the reigning US Open champion and the 2019 titlist ended anti-climactically after the 10th-seeded Briton retired mid-match with an injury to her back. The Canadian was leading 6-2, 6-1 at that time. In the second round, Andreescu will play lucky loser, Nuria Parrizas Diaz whose first-round opponent, fellow Spaniard, Sara Sorribes Tormo retired during their match with an injury to her upper back.
Earlier on Monday, former world no. 1 Simona Halep moved into the second round of the Rome Open. Halep defeated Alize Cornet 6-4, 6-4 and will next play, seventh seed Danielle Collins. Another former world no. 1, Victoria Azarenka, seeded 16th this week, beat Viktorija Golubic 6-3, 6-0 to enter the second round. Azarenka will take on Camila Osorio for a place in the third round. The Colombian defeated Italian wildcard, Lucia Bronzetti, 7-6(4), 6-3 in their first-round match-up.
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